Andy Halliday has warned Celtic’s players they will be wasting their time if they try to goad him into an Old Firm red card on Sunday.

The lifelong Bluenose admits it is a concern that Parkhead players may aim to utilise his passion for the Ibrox club in a bid to gain a numerical advantage in the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden.

And despite his excitement at playing in his first-ever Old Firm game, the Rangers midfielder expects to keep a cool head in only the second meeting of the two ancient Glasgow foes in the past four years.

Midfielder Andy Halliday first attended Old Firm derbies as a childhood Rangers supporter

‘Am I fearful that Celtic’s players may target me and try to provoke a reaction? Yes, they might try to do that,’ said the 24-year-old (right).

‘Whether Celtic want to provoke me is up to them. But if they do I will take it in my stride.

‘I’m not worried about having to rein in my passion at all. I’m 24 years old now and I’ve played quite a few first-team games. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a first for me, playing in an Old Firm game, but I’m confident I can control it.

‘Everyone’s emotions will be running high, whether you are a fan or not. There’ s so much at stake. It’s a Scottish Cup semi-final and it’s derby day, but I’ ve no worries at all.

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‘It’s a game we’ve not seen much of in four years and I hope it’s a good spectacle. The hardest bit is the build-up. I’m just looking forward to getting out there on Sunday and into my stride.’

The enormity of Sunday’s semi-final was brought home to Halliday this week with Old Firm legends like Graeme Souness, Kenny Dalglish, Walter Smith and Frank McAvennie all in town to promote the game.

The former Middlesbrough and Bradford City midfielder admits he turned to two Rangers greats himself in Ian Durrant and John Brown to help him prepare.

‘I can’t wait for Sunday because it will be the biggest occasion of my football career — and I want to enjoy it,’ he said.

The 24-year-old addressed the media as the countdown to Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final continues

‘So the last few weeks I’ve tried to tap in to Ian Durrant and John Brown and listen to them speak about the Old Firm games. Guys who have been there and done it because you can’t get too involved as what’s at stake is a place in the Scottish Cup Final.

‘It’s been great having Ian Durrant around Murray Park. I’ve asked him about the game and also how to deal with being a Rangers player off the park. Being an Old Firm player is a 24/7 lifestyle. You are walking down the street and you can get abuse from anyone, but you just need to brush it aside. I try to take it on the chin, take it in my stride.

‘So I think I’ve tapped into the right people’s experience and I’m going to approach Sunday’s game in the right manner. It will be a cauldron at Hampden. When you are 35 and retired, these are the days you will look back on.’

If ever there was a player born to play for Rangers, it is Halliday, who grew up in the shadow of Ibrox on the Copland Road and became a season-ticket holder from the age of four.

Given the mounting hysteria he has faced amongst friends, family and random members of the public these past few weeks, it is safe to say he will never forget his first taste of the Old Firm experience as a player.

Halliday was on target from the penalty spot when Rangers won the Petrofac Training Cup last Sunday

‘Our mantra this season has been to take it game by game but that’s hard when you can’t walk 10 yards down the street without someone asking you about the Old Firm game,’ he said.

‘I’ve told friends and family I’m not talking about it at all until after the game. Because I’ve heard guys like (Rangers nine-in-a-row legend) Ian Ferguson saying it’s easy to get caught up in the emotion and that by the time you get on the park, you are mentally drained.

‘But I’m looking forward to playing in my first one. I can’t remember my first Old Firm game, it’s so long ago, but there have been some good memories over the years.

‘My best memory? The Peter Lovenkrands diving header in the last minute at Hampden to win the Scottish Cup Final (in 2002) was a good one. I was there that day, sitting in the South Stand, in the same place all my family were sitting on Sunday past when we beat Peterhead to win the Petrofac Cup.

‘Hopefully Sunday is another good spectacle because it’s a game that is watched worldwide and it is highly anticipated as it’s only the second one in the past four years.’

Halliday celebrates his strike during the 4-0 victory against Peterhead at Hampden Park

Halliday believes Scottish football has suffered from not having an Old Firm game. From his time in England, he says he has seen the fixture’s wider appeal. But he believes he will be part of a truly global affair on Sunday as the eyes of the world turn to Hampden.

‘Has Scottish football missed these games? One hundred per cent,’ he said. ‘But I think British football has missed it, everywhere has missed it. It’s a fixture that is anticipated worldwide. Without being disrespectful to others, this is the game that puts Scottish football on the map.’

Halliday was in the stands at Hampden last February as Rangers were outclassed far more than the eventual 2-0 scoreline suggested as Celtic reached the League Cup Final.

He believes the Ibrox side are in a far stronger state this season and, even though Ronny Deila’s side are favourites, he insists Mark Warburton’s men won’ t compromise their ultra-attacking approach.

‘We have come a long way from last season and this will be a good test for us,’ he said. ‘We will keep playing in our normal style. That will never change.’

Halliday admits it will be a dream to make his Old Firm debut for Rangers on Sunday